The Passion and Joy of J.S. BachWeek One: Bright Beginnings and the Organ Whizkid

Born: March 21, 1685 in Eisenach, GermanyYoungest of eight childrenOrphaned at age 9, Assistant organist at 10Age 14: Awarded scholarship to St. Michael’s School in LunebergAge 18: First job as court musician in Weimar: violinist, keyboard playerLater in 1703, organist in Arntadt1706: Organist in Mullhausen1707: Married Maria Barbara BachSeven children between 1710-1720; three died in infancy1708- Returned to Weimar as organist and music director1717: Jail and unfavorable dismissal for "too stubbornly" tendering his resignation1717-1723: Cothen appointment for Prince Ludwig- the happiest post of his life

Terminology:Major Key- a bright, light or sparkling sound palette (think white wine or champagne)Minor Key- a darker, often more somber and complex sound palette (think red wine)Clavier- any of the keyboard instruments of Bach’s time: organ, harpsichord, clavichord or the emerging (forte) pianoPolyphony- Literally meaning “many voices”, a style of composition that is dense, with each part having its own “melody”Suite- a collection of dance-inspired instrumental pieces, including the following:Allemande- Gentle, lyrical dance in 4/4 timeCourante (or Corrente)- "running" , more virtuosic and extroverted danceSarabande- Of scandalous Spanish origin, a dance of love and seduction in slow 3/4 time with an emphasis on the second beatGigue- Fast and breathless ( like a Jig), often in 6/8 timeGavotte- Playful, spritely with an up-up-down gesture

Passacaglia- A piece (like a Canon or Chaconne) in which a bass pattern is repeated over and over without interruption for the duration of the piece while other "voices" weave variations and embellishments on top.

In the Passacaglia in c minor (left), Bach uses the same bass pattern in the foot pedals (bottom line) through the entire piece, a total of 21 repetitions in all. Follow this bassline all the way through the pieces, while marveling how this is ONE person playing the entire piece. Now imagine this: Bach was perfectly capable of improvizing such pieces for literally hours on end.